Traction mat



Oct. 13, 1,556,629

R. J. REANEY I TRAdTIoN MAT Filed Sept. 23, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 iil- I i I INVENTOR RussellJ. Reaney W WM his ATTORNEY Oct. 3, 1925- INVENTOR RusselLJ. Recmey W M Z- his ATTORNEY To all whomfit may concern:

Patented Oct. 13, 1925.

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svss sunny, or orrawalonrnnio, canine} (Teamm t Application filed September 23, 1924. Serial No. 739,321.

Be it known that I, RUSSELL J. REANnY, a citizen ofthe Dominion ofCanada, residing at Ottawa, in the" county of Carleton and Province of'Ontario, 'Dominionof Canada, having invented new and useful Improvements in Traction -Mats, do hereby declare the following'is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in traction mats and appertains more particularly to that class of device adapted for use in extricating motor vehicles and the like from mud holes.

The principal objectof the invention is to provide a traction element for application to the side of or for introduction under the drive wheel of a mired motor vehicle.

A further object is to provide a device of this character comprising a plurality of traction blocks that are flexibly connected in line, the first of the series being wedge shaped to provide a lift for the drive wheel.

A still further object is to provide such a device wherein the parts are few, the construction simple and the cost of production relatively low.

To the accomplishment of these and related objects, my invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as shall be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings forming a part of this disclosure wherein like characters designate like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mired vehicle wheel and my device in operative position and Fig. 2 is a perspective of the preferred embodiment of the device.

WVhile I am aware that previous endeavors have been made to guard against vehicles miring in deep mud, sand or snow, it is felt that the value of the p esent device will be manifest to all motor vhicle drivers in that it will not impede the ravel of the vehicle when its occasional use only is required and being relatively small and compact, is readily ported without inconvenience. Its simplicity of construction and application will commend it to those in need of such a device.

Referring particularly to the drawings, I have shown the preferred embodiment as comprising a first or wedge block 3 and two I follow traction blocks designated' l and 5'.

These are connected in line by flexible coup'lings that include stapes 6, in the blocks near the adjoining ends, .that are joined the links7,

The'entire upper surface' ofiblocks and 5. is corrugated as at 8, as is alsothe top and inclined. end of the first block '3.-

' The wedge 3-is0f trapezium form in=sec=- tion being thickest at the joining lineof the inclined, wedge forming end and the sloping top, thus increasing the size of the wedge.

The trapezium thus formed provides a solid supporting surface, an incline that is wedge shaped and as a result the. block widening from the point is not readily drawn under the wheel as would otherwise be the case. In fact, the tendency to pass under the wheel is reversed and the wheel climbing the socalled steep wedge the more firmly embeds the block thus affording better traction.

The bail 9 is applied to the outer side of the end block 5 and a chain 10 extends therefrom. This will allow of retracting the mat after the extricating of the vehicle without the necessity of the driver or a passenger wading through the muddy road in an effort to effect its recovery.

In use, when a vehicle has settled in a mud hole or otherwise become mired, the mat is arranged in front of the drive wheel with the wedge end 3 contacting with the said wheel (this may be accomplished from therunning board). The wheels are then set in motion and the preliminary revolutions operate to 'draw the wedge into the rut, assuming a position similar to that illustrated in F ig. 1, thereby providing the wheel with improved and increased traction surface. The continued rotation of the wheel will result in lifting the vehicle from the hole as the wheel will move up the incline and forward on the corrugated blocks.

I desire to have it understood that this device may be made of wood, reinforced sheet metal or other suitable material and in sizes that will be suitable for the vehicle with which it is to be used for it is obvious that those for trucks would be unnecessarily heavy and bulky for lighter cars.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be manifest that a traction mat terpreted as illustrative and not in a limited sense.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is, I

1. A traction mat of the character described comprising a wedge end block,

trapezium form in cross section, and a plurality of flexibly connected traction blocks aligned therewith. V

2. A traction mat of the character described comprising a wedge shaped block,

a plurality of flexibly connected rectangular traction members in alignment therewith, a

bail connected to the traction member most remote from said Wedge shaped block and a recovery chain continuing from said bail.

3. As an article of manufacture, a traction mat for motor Vehicles and the like comprising a Wedge shaped end block, trapeziumshaped in cross section; a plurality of flexibly connected traction blocks arranged in series in alignment with said wedge shaped block and fiexiblyconnected thereto; all of said blocks having transverse corrugations on their upper side; a bail carried by the traction block remote from the said Wedge shaped block and a recovery chain connected thereto, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

RUSSELL J. REANEY. 

